Monday, January 16, 2012

Structure in a Midwest Winter Garden...

Once again, I've slid off the grid. Holidays & such. One thing I did do that was 'garden-y', was to look out the windows at my dormant landscape - a lot. Sometimes it made me wistful, other times it made me peaceful. During our first "real" measurable snow fall recently (in January, which is unprecedented in the Midwest) , I also noticed the stark 'structure' within the gardens.

Pink Guara (dormant - January 2012)

With garden edges obscured and stone walkways covered, dormant plant structure became the visual interest. Organic sculptures - only not in a museum. I would have never before imagined it, but the views just struck me. Maybe because there is more 'vacant' space in the gardens since they are relatively new - but I wished for more to look at. (Note to self: need more plants - Spring 2012)

'Wine and Roses' Weigela - in the Winter Sunset 2012

Though there wasn't the vibrancy of the 'growing' months, this Winter 'garden' had quiet poise. There was a 'Zen' ambiance I could have looked at all afternoon. Believe me, it's a short trip around these gardens - plunked in the middle of suburbia. But I have seen amazing landscaping in small places, and that gives me motivation!

Sunset on the 'Shade Garden' - the rustle of the winter grass is riveting

So, while it was refreshing to reconnect with the 'winter shade' of gardening - I'm "ok" to have a few more fallow months before I get back into "garden mojo". (I am anxious to see last year's new perennials come up in 2012. Now I just have to add more - 'sweeps' of Anemones and Candy Tuft, a new 'Natives' garden in front, visual 'green' screening...) Until Spring 2012, I'm going to live vicariously through my garden blog friends. Slowly but surely, I am getting around for blog visits - and looking forward to see what you have been up to!

19 comments:

The downtime in winter obviously gives you an opportunity to see what's needed out in the garden. I love the sound of sweeps of Anemones and Candy Tuft, but I'll also look forward to seeing the new natives garden develop.

Bernie - Happy New Year! This will be the first season I will commit to a large grouping of a single plant type, but I just love the way it looks in other gardens. Time to make that 'Natives' plant list (will be a 'full sun' garden) and decide on a garden 'shape'/size.

My garden too. The color is just a memory, but still the garden offers up interesting shapes and forms. And fun foto ops. I like the weigela image in the backlit sun. Weigela is a stark reminder how long we have to wait until bloom time again. It is very slow to come out of its winter slumber.

Holley - I'm so glad you stopped in for a visit! (I've been missing my blog friends...) I couldn't imagine a year without snow - especially with recent years of landscaping. Thanks for the kind words on the Weigela picture. :)

Inside projects, excellent point! (I've been in denial about those!! ...mostly sorting and purging projects...) I'm starting to make a list of Midwest 'natives' for a new front garden (maybe an 'island' shape?). There is a "Chocolate" Heurchera that is SO cool. Also on the list, Allium, False Indigo, Husker Red Penstemon and Sea Holly.

About Me

My journey in gardening started from modest beginnings - with a couple of plants. I always have loved design & color, it just hadn't occurred to me to 'create' with plants. Unlike an oil or watercolor painting, gardens are a work in progress. So I can be as messy as I want, and happy as a clam!